MENTOR TEXT IDEAS FOR THE LESSONS

  • Generate Writing Ideas
o Making Lists (Amelia’s Notebook)
o Think of a person/Sketch – Write a small moment that goes that person
(My Grandfather’s Face)
o Think of a Place/Map the Place – Write small moments to go with place (use Marshfield Dreams by Ralph Fletcher, Jack Gantos,)
o List of recent events (
o First Times (Bippity, Bop, Barbershop, Roller Coaster, Owl Moon,
o Last Times
o Scary Times (Stormy Night,
o Happy Times
MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE - The Summer My Father Was Ten by Pat Brisson
  • Create Focus, Detail, Structure
o Write Seeds NOT Watermelons
o Zoom in so you tell the most important part
o Tell the story instead of writing all about the topic
o Include true, exact details from the movie you have in your mind
o Tell a step-by-step story (Fireflies)
  • Choosing a seed to develop into a story – Re-read entries
  • Writing Effective Leads (Use mentor texts to model)
o Start with setting
o Start with dialogue
o Start with action
  • Drafting – Writing fast and long
  • Revising Endings (Use mentor text to model)
o Use important actions
o Use dialogue
o Use images
o Use whole story reminders that make a lasting impression